Improvement in broom-clamps



WILLIAM D MERICK'. lmprov'erlnnf in Broom Clamps.

Patented Apri-l 9, '1872Y No.125,603.Y

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[UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM MERICK, OF ROCHESTER, ASSIGNOR TOHIMSELF AND IG. O. BROWNELL, OF CARLTON, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN BROOM-CLAMPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N o. 125,603, dated April9, 1872.

Specification describing a certain Improvement in Broom-Clamps, inventedby WILLIAM D. MERICK, of the city of Rochester, in the county of Monroeand State of New York.

My invention consists in the construction and arrangement of theclamping devices, Whereby the edges, as well as the top of the broom,are clamped and held in position, as hereinafter described.

In the drawing, Figure lis a perspective view of a broom with myimprovement applied; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the several parts ofthe clamping device separated Figs. and 4, sections in lines a: m and yy, respectively.

A represents the broom, which is of ordinary form. The clamp-head Bconsists of a socket, a, which its upon the handle O, and thin andyielding straps b b, which extend over the top of the broom andV downeach edge, about one-third ofthe length ofthe same, more or less, asshown in Fig. 1. This head is preferably made of malleable iron or brassto secure the desired iexibility and spring; but may be made of anydesired material adapted to the purpose. D is the follower or clamp,which draws up beneath the clamp-head to hold the broom-stuit' in place.It has a screwshank, d, which screws into the end of the handle, withinthe socket a, to produce the clamping action to the upper part or top ofthe broom. E is a wire loop or link, united by a hook and eye, f. Thissimply slips over the top of the broom and clamps the edge straps b b upagainstthe edge ofthe broom. It also serves to stiften the upper part ofthe broom and give it strength. Gr is a hook, which passes from one sideto the other of the loop E through the center of the broom-head. One orboth ends of the hook is made open, so as to be readily engaged ordisengaged.

The method of forming the broom is as follows: The clamp-head B isinverted, and the heads or butts of the broom-corn are laid crosswise,overlapping each other, with the broom ends pointing outward each Way.The handle is then turned, drawing the follower D up to place to clampthe stuff. The broom ends on each side are then bent down toward eachother, and the wire loop E is slipped over the head, thereby bringingthe broom-stuff into place, and at the same time clamping the straps b bclosely to the edges. The hook G is then passed through the broom,connecting both sides of the loop at the center.

An important feature in this invention is the iiexible straps b b, bywhich the edges are clamped. This prevents escape at the sides and givesa solid body at that point.` It also serves as a shield to the edges ofthe broom, which are much exposed. It is far more elfectlive than awhole socket which comes down to inclose the top of the broom, as in theold form of portable brooms, since it secures and stiffens the edges,while the central portion is left open nearly or quite to the top, whichallows a yielding action to the whole length of the broom that isdesirable in sweeping.

An objection to the old form is that too much of the top of the broom isstitt'ened, which destroys its elasticity. Being made of malleable iron,or some other spring metal, the edge straps b b will always clampproperly in place and form a secure fastening.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Iletters Patent, is

The clamp-head B, provided with the flexible edge straps b b, whencombined with the follower D, wire loop E, and cross-hook G for clampingand holding a broom-head, as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing Witnesses.

Witnesses: W. D. MERICK.

R. F. Oseoon, ARcHrE BAINE.

